Santorini Island (Thira, Greece)

Santorini Island (Greece) is among the most popular ports of call on Eastern Mediterranean/Aegean cruises. The island is in the Aegan Sea and is the southernmost of the Greek Cycladic Islands.

Santorini (aka Thera/Thira) covers a total area of approx 91 km2 (35 mi2) and has population around 15,000.

The island's largest town and principal port is Fira/Thira (locode GRJTR).

Santorini Island is essentially what remained after an enormous volcanic eruption which destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single isle, and created the geological caldera. A large central, rectangular lagoon, measuring about 12x7 km (7,5x4,3 mi), is surrounded via 300 m (980 ft) high, steep cliffs on 3 sides. The depth of the caldera is 400 m (1312 ft), which makes it impossible for any but the biggest ships to anchor anywhere in the bay. A fisherman's harbour is located at Vlychada, on the southwestern coast. The principal port on the island is Athinios. Fira is the capital, clinging to the top of the cliff that is looking down on the lagoon. 

Santorini is the most active volcanic centre in South Aegean Volcanic Arc, but what remains today is mainly a water-filled caldera. The island's volcanic arc is approx 500 km (310 mi) long and 20-40 km (12-25 mi) wide. The region became volcanically active about 3–4 million years ago, but volcanism on Thera started about 2 million years ago via the extrusion of dacitic lavas from vents around Akrotiri.

The island is the site of one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: Minoan eruption (sometimes called Thera eruption), which occurred around 3,600 years ago at the height of Minoan civilization. The eruption left a huge caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits and may have led to the collapse of Minoan civilization on Crete, 110 km (70 mi) to the south, via a gigantic tsunami. Another theory holds that Thera eruption is the source of Atlantis' legend.

Island's primary industry is tourism. The other main source of wealth includes agriculture. In recent years, the island has been voted one of the most beautiful in the world. Santorini remains the home of a flourishing wine industry, which is based on the Assyrtiko grape variety. White varieties include Aidani and Athiri, whereas red ones include mandilaria and mavrotragano.

In October 2017, the Greek Government ordered the raising of the sunken cruise ship Sea Diamond. The vessel foundered (took on water and sank) in 2007, leaving 2 passengers missing and 1 presumed dead. The decision was made as the wreck posed a potential environmental risk and was deemed a hazard to shipping near the island. On April 5, 2007, the 143-m ship struck a volcanic reef. All of its 1600 passengers and crew were evacuated, except a 45-year-old male passenger (of French origin) and his teenage daughter, who probably drowned. The bodies were never found. For cruise ship accidents you can visit our CruiseMinus section.

Santorini is the most popular cruising destination of all Greek Isles. The busy season for the island is from July through August. Santorini is often described as paradise and is among the world’s most breathtaking places. The towns on the island are situated atop of high cliffs and are looking over the caldera of an ancient volcano.

The closest to the cruise port Thira/Fira international airport is approx 6 km from downtown.

Santorini is often included in Eastern Med itineraries operated by major cruise line brands like Costa, MSC, RCI-Royal Caribbean, NCL-Norwegian, HAL-Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, as well as the luxury travel brands Azamara, RSSC-Regent, Oceania, Seabourn, Windstar, SeaDream.

In 2017, Santorini self-imposed a daily cruise passenger limit of 12000. In 2018, this limit was further pushed down to 8000 per day.

The island's cruise port schedule for 2018 listed 439 ship calls (409 in 2017). For season 2019 were handled 592 calls and ~870,000 passengers.

Following the COVID crisis, in 2022 Santorini handled 686 cruise ship visits, which number in 2023 increased to 753 (112 in June alone).

In August 2024, Santorini implemented regulations to manage the influx of cruise ship tourists, limiting their number at the dock to 500 at any given time. The measure aimed to alleviate congestion and improve the overall vacation experience. However, tourists arriving on larger ships experienced delays as water shuttle operations (ship-to-shore transfers), leading to longer wait times for disembarking or returning passengers. Additionally, the Santorini Port Authority prohibited cruise vessels from providing water stations at the dock so visitors are advised to bring their own water ashore.

Santorini Island cruise terminal

Santorini Island tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Fira (Thira): the capital of the island is amazing place. The houses, the flowers, the sunsets – even they are impressive enough. All buildings are white with blue cupolas. The streets are narrow, the hotels are small, the cuisine in the restaurants is so tasty. The city is easily reached from Santorini cruise port tender dock – you need to climb 580 zig zag steps.

Museum of Prehistoric Fira: located near the bus station.

Folklore Museum: the museum is located on Kontochori. The building is a cave dwelling from the 19th century. Discover the typical household on the island. You can also find many local tools for wine-making or barrel-making. The Folklore Museum works from May to October. The admission is three euros.

Oia: eight miles from Santorini cruise port tender dock (direction north) is the most photographed village of the island. Everything here is breathtaking, especially dinner at sunset.

Naval Museum: the museum is located in Oia. It is open from April to November. The admission is three euros. The museum houses local ships models, equipment for navigation and more.